The threats by Fairbanks militia members to the lives of law enforcement officials and their families came under sharp focus in a federal courtroom Tuesday when secretly recorded conversations revealed the origins of the infamous "241" plan for murder.

The idea of taking an "eye for an eye" a step further than the Bible -- two killings or two private arrests for every killing or arrest of a militia member -- arose at a "staff meeting" of the leadership of the Alaska Peacemaker Militia in February 2011. The meeting took place in a converted school bus that militia major Ken Thesing called home and was attended by militia commander Schaeffer Cox, another major, Coleman Barney, and a sergeant, Gerald Olson.

Unknown to the other three, Olson was wearing a recorder and working undercover for the FBI. He's now the star government witness in the conspiracy and weapons trial of Cox, Barney and a third man, Lonnie Vernon. With Alaska's state and federal judges threatened by militia members, the case is being heard in U.S. District Court in Anchorage before a veteran federal judge from Tacoma, Wash., Robert Bryan.

Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Roe defended the charge, saying it was filed because Carlile's criminal negligence resulted in a death. He said the charge "best fit the facts."

Roe said Carlile could have taken one of several steps to prevent the tragedy, including using the handgun's safety, placing the firearm in a locked box in the door, wearing it on his ankle, or moving it as his wife had instructed moments earlier.

"Any number of simple acts could have prevented this," Roe said.

Stay tuned as this case -- one of several child shooting cases in Washington this year -- continues.

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